On April 6, 2025, on the 5th Sunday of Great Lent and on the forefeast of the Annunciation of the Most Holy Theotokos, the temporary Administrator of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Bishop Matthew of Sourozh, celebrated the Divine Liturgy at St. Nicholas Cathedral in New York City.
During the Liturgy, the archpastor was assisted by the rector of the cathedral, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov, and the acting secretary of the Patriarchal Parishes in the USA, Hegumen Nikodim (Balyasnikov). The deacon's rank was led by the head of the service of the bishop's protocol, Deacon Alexei Golubov. The liturgical hymns were performed by the bishop's choir of the cathedral under the direction of choirmaster Ksenia Afanasyeva.
At the Little Entrance, Bishop Matthew, with the blessing of His Holiness Patriarch Kirill, on the occasion of the Bright Resurrection of Christ and in connection with the 20th anniversary of his priestly ordination, awarded a liturgical award – the right to wear a cross with decorations – to the rector of the cathedral, Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov.
After reading the Gospel, the bishop offered a prayer for Holy Rus'.
At the end of the service, the archpastor was warmly greeted by Archpriest Igor Vyzhanov. In turn, Bishop Matthew addressed the congregation with a sermon and spoke about the upcoming festive services of the Annunciation and the 100th anniversary of the death of the builder of the cathedral and educator of America and Canada, Saint Tikhon. As a gift to all parishioners and guests of the cathedral, the Bishop presented brochures with the new text of the Akathist to Saint Tikhon, approved by His Holiness Patriarch Kirill and the Holy Synod at a meeting on March 20 of this year.
In conclusion, the archpastor thanked all those present for the joy of joint prayer, and also presented Archbishop’s letters of commendation to a number of the cathedral’s founders and workers.
